Imagine the rich heritage of Europe and its 44 nations all being swept into a singular group where no differentiations were made, no individuality existed amongst cultures, nothing distinguishable between the French and the Croatians for example, and only the negative things Europeans ever did were celebrated and perpetuated as their normal way of being?
Or imagine being considered the black sheep of your family, but hold on a minute, not only are you the black sheep of your family, but everyone in your community, regardless of their personal achievements, individual attributes, upbringing or family history, are all considered black sheep. What would you have to do to make people believe that?
The brand campaign of white supremacy and Black inferiority is 600 years in the making and still counting...see the current situations in the Congo, Philly, Mississippi and Sudan for some evidence. And that's where the Black monolith myth comes from. It's pretty Black and white (pun intended).
The Black monolith lie is the mistaken belief that's been disseminated around the world that the stereotypes perpetuated in American movies, whether the violent, unintelligent or inferior Black man or the angry, sexualized, servant Black woman, are valid and true for an entire race of people that span the globe. That somehow Africans, Black Americans, Caribbeans and South Americans all share identical experiences, values, and cultures. Instead it reduces the rich cultural diversity within the Black community in North American and abroad to a singular, homogenous entity that overlooks the different identities and backgrounds that exist.
Devaluing an entire race of people with roots from a continent of 54 distinct nations (more than Europe) with numerous ethnicities and cultures within each one, and their varied experience over millennia, down to one imaginary image is beyond ludicrous.
Black is not a monolith, and such a generalization propagates stereotypes and reinforces harmful assumptions about the behaviour, abilities, and values of Black people across the globe. All of which stagnates socio-economic progress for all, incites hate and bigotry against various ethnic communities, and pushes us backward to darker days.
Why is exposure to culture important?
If culture is the "way we do things around here", then immersing yourself in other cultures starts with encountering and engaging with people from different backgrounds. Understanding the lessons, social training, values and belief systems of people will only help you build stronger connections with them. This exposure gives you a front-row seat to diverse cultural experiences and is one of the most effective ways of debunking the Black monolith myth.
Cultural competence within Black culture
When you’re exposed to different Black cultures for example, you begin to see the differences and similarities between an Ethiopian Canadian and a new Nigerian immigrant, or a Trinidadian and a Southern Black American. Once you gain an inside look at their worlds and lived experience, you can more easily interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with ease and authenticity. This valuable skill also empowers you to practice allyship at work because you care to and are aware enough to see that quashing harmful and baseless racial stereotypes is still needed.
What are the benefits of exposure to new cultures?
Learning about different cultures can help you relate better with people around you and increase your level of empathy and respect for them. Numerous benefits come from this exposure, including:
Gaining a better understanding of the world — The world is made up of people from various cultures, and globalization has led to diverse workplaces and neighbourhoods. Being exposed to diverse cultures helps you appreciate people who are different from you and increases your ability to be a better leader to multicultural teams.
Minimizing stereotypes — When you learn about people and their different cultures, you’re less likely to classify them using stereotypes and biases such as the Black monolith. Every individual is different, every nation has a culture and subcultures, and one individual or subgroup’s behaviour shouldn’t define an entire racial community.
What happens when a person lacks cultural exposure?
A lack of cultural exposure usually translates to cultural insensitivity through practices like stereotyping, ethnocentrism, and bias. Such practices can have serious consequences. For example, stereotypes and bias have been found to contribute to the surge in incidences of police brutality and the deaths of Black people.
Here are some common effects of limited cultural exposure on society:
Conflict and tension — A lack of cultural exposure can fuel interpersonal conflicts and aggravate existing divisions within society. Ignorance of others and biases may lead to tension between people from different cultural backgrounds. This has the potential to perpetuate anti-Black racism and create a hostile environment.
Limited perspective — Without exposure to different cultures, one's perspective is narrowed, which often is a breeding ground for ethnocentrism and bias. Without unlearning the false history and social training white supremacy set out to make universal, it is very easy to ascribe to a biased outlook where you judge people based on a perceived notion of who they are rather than their personal defining characteristics.
What is diversity in the Black community?
Ask yourself, how many different types of Black folks do you regularly engage with?
The Black community's immense diversity is evident in its wide spectrum of ethnicities, cultures, languages, and geographic origins. Within this diverse community are Africans, Afro-Latinos, people of Caribbean descent, and several Indigenous groups, each with their unique traditions, cuisines, cultural practices, religious beliefs, and generational experiences.
Diversity within Black Canada
There are over 300 different cultural origins within the Black Canadian population. This number represents immigration patterns from Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas. Close to 40% of Black Canadians were born in Canada, with some families having roots going back generations to when the first Europeans landed.
Some Black Canadians identify with a single heritage, while others associate themselves with a blend of backgrounds. In the 2016 census, 12% of Black Canadians identified as mixed-race. This diversity promotes cultural exchange and appreciation for the contributions of Black Canadians to the country's social, cultural, and economic fabric.
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